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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-03-24 PC Minutes Approved: May 8, 2024 CITY OF ARDEN HILLS, MINNESOTA PLANNING COMMISSION WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024 6:30 P.M. - ARDEN HILLS CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, Chair Kurtis Weber called to order the regular Planning Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. ROLL CALL Present were: Chair Kurtis Weber, Commissioners Brad Bjorklund, Shelley Blilie, Stephen Erler, Arlene Mitchell, and Jonathan Wicklund. Absent: Commissioner Josh Collins. Also present were: Community Development Director Jessica Jagoe, Senior Planner Elena Fransen and Council Liaison Emily Rousseau. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – APRIL 3, 2024 Commissioner Mitchell moved, seconded by Commissioner Wicklund, to approve the April 3, 2024, agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). APPROVAL OF MINUTES March 6, 2024 – Planning Commission Regular Meeting Commissioner Bjorklund stated he was impressed by the level of participation at the last Planning Commission meeting. Commissioner Bjorklund moved, seconded by Commissioner Wicklund, to approve the March 6, 2024, Planning Commission Regular Meeting as presented. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). PLANNING CASES A. Planning Case 24-007; 3717 Lexington Avenue N. – Conditional Use Permit – Public Hearing Senior Planner Fransen stated SUPERVALU Inc., dba Cub Discount Liquor (“Applicant”) is requesting a Conditional Use Permit to allow for Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Sales as a ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 3, 2024 2 conditional accessory use at 3717 Lexington Avenue N. (“Subject Property”). Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Sales may be allowed as a conditional accessory use in B-3 Service Business Zoning District where the principal use is Retail Sales & Service, Restaurant, or Service Station, the business has a liquor or tobacco license issued by the City, and when such accessory use is clearly incidental to the principal use. A Conditional Use Permit is required for the conditional accessory use of Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Sales. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the existing site data, the Plan Evaluation and provided the Findings of Fact for review: 1. The property located at 3717 Lexington Avenue N. is designated for Commercial uses on the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. 2. Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Sales shall be a Conditional Accessory use only permitted in the B-2 General Business, B-3 Service Business, B-4 Retail Business, NB Neighborhood Business and GB Gateway Business Zoning Districts where the principal use is Retail Sales & Service, Restaurant, or Service Station, the business has a liquor or tobacco license issued by the City, and when such accessory use is clearly incidental to the principal use. 3. The Subject Property is located within the B-3 Service Business Zoning District with a principal use of Retail Sales & Service. 4. The Applicant, Cub Discount Liquor, has a liquor license issued by the City. 5. The Applicant’s site plan shows the proposed conditional accessory use is incidental to the principal use. 6. The Applicant’s narrative notes the specifics of the proposed business, including the sourcing of products and customer and employee education. 7. Applicants for Conditional Accessory Lower-Potency Hemp Edible Sales shall follow the conditional use permit procedures. 8. A public hearing for a Conditional Use Permit request is required before the request can be brought before the City Council. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 24-007 for a Conditional Use Permit to allow lower-potency hemp edible sales as a conditional accessory use at 3717 Lexington Avenue N: 1. Recommend Approval with Conditions 1. No additional exterior signage shall be permitted for the conditional accessory use. 2. Lower-potency hemp edible sales will be localized to the Cub Discount Liquor portion of the Subject Property. 3. The Applicant shall comply with all sections of the City Code and with applicable State Statutes. 2. Recommend Approval as Submitted 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Weber opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Bjorklund commented his first job was working for Jack Hooley, who started Consumers United Buying, also known as Cub. He stated he did not believe he had a conflict, but noted he also did consulting work for Cub Foods over the years but it has been many years since he was last involved with the company. ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 3, 2024 3 Commissioner Blilie explained she supported the proposed request. Chair Weber opened the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. Chair Weber invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. There being no comment Chair Weber closed the public hearing at 6:43 p.m. Commissioner Bjorklund asked if the City received any public input on this item. Senior Planner Fransen reported staff had not received any comments from the public prior to the meeting. Commissioner Bjorklund commented he did not have any real concerns regarding this request given the fact this was for low-potency hemp. He appreciated the fact the employees would have to go through proper training. Commissioner Erler discussed how Roseville and Shoreview were already selling these products in their communities. Commissioner Erler moved and Commissioner Blilie seconded a motion to recommend approval of Planning Case 24-007 for a Conditional Use Permit to allow lower-potency hemp edible sales as a conditional accessory use at 3717 Lexington Avenue N based on the findings of fact and the submitted plans, as amended by the conditions in the April 3, 2024, report to the Planning Commission. The motion carried unanimously (6-0). UNFINISHED AND NEW BUSINESS None. REPORTS A. Report from the City Council Council Liaison Rousseau provided the Commission with an update from the City Council. She explained the City was watching two active bills noting Ramsey County had submitted a bill requesting $25 million in funding from the State for Rice Creek Commons infrastructure and $2 million in State funding had been requested for a trail along Old Highway 10. She commented on the work being done by the PTRC, which included mapping the City’s rain gardens. She reported NYFS would be hosting a luncheon on Wednesday, May 8 at 11:30 a.m. at Vadnais Heights Commons. B. Planning Commission Comments and Requests None. ADJOURN ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – April 3, 2024 4 Commissioner Mitchell moved, seconded by Commissioner Bjorklund, to adjourn the April 3, 2024, Planning Commission Meeting at 6:52 p.m. The motion carried unanimously (6-0).